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My friend Hannah Price was raped at university. She was not raped by a stranger in a dark alley. She was raped by a student she knew, in her own home. Her story is disturbing, but she’s not alone.

Sexual violence in the student bubble has become normalised. Being groped on a night out, or feeling pressured to do something sexual, has become part and parcel of the “university experience” for many students.

A year ago, Hannah decided enough was enough. She launched a campaign, Revolt Sexual Assault, to raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual violence on campus – because nobody else was talking about it. Students and universities were brushing the issue under the carpet; it was easier to pretend it didn’t exist. But ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away.

Hannah’s campaign, which I joined in last autumn, uses Snapchat’s facial recognition software to allow victims to anonymously tell their stories. The response was overwhelming, and the extent of the problem became painfully clear. So too did the absence of support systems for those affected.

A year after the first Snapchat testimonial, we’re launching nationally. We’re asking the government to take action, to force universities to do more to support victims of sexual violence. We’ve spoken to students and collected the data, but those in power still aren’t listening. Raising awareness is important, but what we really need is change.

What our national survey showed us

Earlier this year, we published the results of our national survey into sexual assault and harassment at university, in partnership with The Student Room. Over 4,500 students from 153 different institutions completed the survey.

Seventy per cent of female respondents experienced sexual violence at university, and 73 per cent of those with a disability. A third felt pressured into doing something sexual, and in 57 per cent of cases the perpetrator was known to the student.

Just 10 per cent of victims reported their experience to the university or police. More than one third (35 per cent) said this was because they felt too ashamed, and 29 per cent didn’t even know how to report what happened to them to their university. Only two per cent of those who reported sexual violence to the university were satisfied with the reporting process.

The comments hit the hardest

But while these figures show the extent of the problem, it was the comments left which affected me most. Thousands of respondents used the survey to share their experiences, and I read every single one.

“It was my fault because I was drunk.”

“It was my fault because of what I was wearing.”

“It was my fault because I led them on.”

They are the same stories we’ve been hearing throughout the campaign. Students regularly experience sexual violence, often blame themselves, and rarely receive support from their university. This can have a life-long impact – on a student’s social life, confidence and academic career.

“After my sexual assault I switched universities because of overwhelming daily anxiety,” one respondent said. “I had been surrounded by people who blamed me and were involved.”

Another told us that they “had the emotional strength to do one of two things”.

“I could pursue a complaint against my rapist or finish my degree. I chose the latter. But I still haven’t recovered. I think about it literally every day. I’m still so angry.”

Universities must do more

Worryingly, our survey found 25 per cent of respondents who experienced sexual violence skipped lectures or tutorials, and changed or dropped certain modules to avoid the perpetrators. Sixteen per cent said they suspended their studies or dropped out of their degree.

Refusing to address these issues won’t make them disappear. We need to have a conversation about sexual assault and harassment on campus in the UK – and it’s time for universities to do more to support the victims.

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